RAMS CHAMPIONSHIP HEARTACHE

BYAFA Championship Final 2004
North Lanarkshire Rams 14 Bath Cardinals 18

North Lanarkshire Rams British Championship dream wilted in the sweltering heat in Dewsbury of all places at the weekend, going down 18-14 to the Bath Cardinals.

Having pulled off a memorable double over their number one rivals, Clyde Valley Hawks in the Northern Conference Semi Final, this was without doubt the biggest challenge in the Rams short history as they were making their first ever UK Championship challenge.

In hot weather conditions that would not have looked out of place on the Spanish Coast Line, the Rams had to cope with not only a much larger Cardinals squad, but some controversial decisions by the match officials, but still managed to come from behind to edge in front at the break.

The first half belonged to running back Adam Donaldson, who terrorised the Cardinals rear guard with superb running, notching up two touchdowns along with another two runs in to the end zone that fell by the way side, courtesy of the match officials.

The Rams were then deal a major blow when they lost their star player early in the second half through a knee injury.

And despite a gutsy display, the strength and depth of the English side proved too much for the Rams side, who dspite having a couple of scores chalked of themselves, did enough to clinch the game, courtesy of a touchdown run from Chris Taylor in the fourth quarter.

This game was an unknown quantity for the Scots as they were unable to get hold of any tape action of the Cardinals in action prior to this game.

But they soon realised that they had a game on their hands when North Lanarkshire fumbled away possession on their opening drive which was recovered by Simon Drake.

The Scots were then promptly punished on the next play, when a shuffle pass from Henry Allen, sent Steve Onditi clear down the near side for the opening touchdown.

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